Tool for Self-Monitoring

This self-monitoring tool can help manage the challenge of effects from HMD that vary from day to day. We can practice good self-care and also help those who care about us if we develop the habit of assessing ourselves each morning and communicating our “score” to others. Here’s a scoring system that you can adapt for yourself and download to print:

Level of Pain

Low Moderate

High

Amount of Sleep Fully rested

A

B

C

Some sleep

B

C

D

Little sleep

C

D

F

 

Score

Circumstances

Implication

A Feel good; well-rested; relatively pain free May be tempted to walk further or stand longer than is really comfortable, so need to monitor self in order not to over-extend
B Somewhat rested; pain low to moderate Able to handle everyday tasks without negative consequences if stop walking or standing while still in comfort zone
C Not very rested; likely to have difficulties Need to be selective about activities that involve walking or standing
D Not very rested; pain may interfere with concentration & produce irritability Need to be careful not to overextend or to be cranky inappropriately with others
F Not very rested; pain intense; pain will interfere with concentration & result in irritability Need to restrict walking & standing as much as possible; consider rescheduling activities to another day